I've been hunkering down to get a working rhythm going with the new novel, with truly gorgeous help from all sorts of directions. I'm applying for residencies (the Yaddo deadline is August 1) and have a week of pure writing coming up at Norcroft, a women's writing residency in Minnesota, for which I'm appreciative and grateful. Sadly, like many bookstores, journals and presses formed out the second wave of feminism, Norcroft is closing. This is its final year.
I wanted to let you know:
Hampshire Life, the Friday magazine of the local Northampton paper, is going to run a short essay of mine about writing about Jonathan Edwards in their First Person column within the next few weeks, so watch for it if you're local and interested. I've also got a poem coming in the rad new zine, Size Queen.
There will be a reception for Maximum Beauty, photography of fat nudes by Leonard Nimoy, on Friday, July 22 from 7-8:30 at the R. Michelson Gallery in Northampton. I'm excited about this. I saw the show in New York at the Bonni Benrubi Gallery (and wrote about it
here.) The models for the photographs are from the San Francisco-based Big Big Burlesque, and they'll be performing with the local group Femmetastic Fatales (most recently seen at Northampton Pride) at 10:30 pm at the Elevens in Northampton.
Here's a link to pages at the R. Michelson website about Maximum Beauty:
Also, I had a great time reading at the packed and very warm cabaret at Food For Thought in Amherst, which is a new series of politically committed, expansive performances -- the next one is scheduled for August 27. There was music, video, performance poetry, shadow puppet theater and reading, with such a sense of community -- reminded me of the old days when our lesbian writers group regularly filled the room to overflowing at Lunaria bookstore, although this crowd was more diverse. Some of you will remember Erika Arthur of Food for Thought, who will be performing next time.
Last but not least, I've gotten to go swimming in lakes twice more in the past month because folks saw me writing about how much I love it here. This is exquisite, and not usually possible for me without a car! Anybody else want to go to the DAR? Get in touch! xo Susan
PS While I was writing this, I got a copy of the July newsletter from Pride&Joy in Northampton, which featured both Venus of Chalk and my friend Judy Frank's book, Crybaby Butch. Mark Carmien, a co-owner there, has been thoroughly supportive and sweet.
